Senior Scams
1. Beware of Social Security spoofing calls
There’s been a significant uptick in fraudulent telephone calls from people claiming to represent the Social Security Administration (SSA). In them, unknown callers threaten victims that they face arrest or other legal action if they fail to call a provided phone number or press the number indicated in the message to address the issue. Sometimes the scammers switch tactics and say that they want to help an individual activate a suspended Social Security number. They may even “spoof” the actual Social Security hotline number to appear on the recipient’s phone: 1-800-772-1213. If you receive one of these calls, hang up. Know that Social Security rarely contacts persons by phone unless you have ongoing business with them and they never make threats about arrest or legal action. Report suspicious calls to the SSA Office of the Inspector General by calling 1-800-269-0271 or submitting a report on the OIG website.
2. Watch for a new twist on the old grandparent scam
The grandparent scam has been around for several years. In this approach, a person calls an older adult pretending to be a grandchild who’s been involved in an accident or legal trouble and needs money immediately.
Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that instead of using wire transfer or gift cards, an increasing number of older adults are mailing cash to these fraudsters, with a median individual loss of $9,000. According to reports, the scammers often ask seniors to divide the bills into envelopes and place them between the pages of a magazine, then send them using various carriers, including UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service.
The FTC warns that if you or a loved one receives one of these calls, don’t act right away. Call that grandchild back on a correct phone number and verify their whereabouts. If you’ve mailed cash, report it right away to the Postal Service or shipping company you used. Some people have been able to stop delivery by acting quickly and giving a tracking number. Be sure to also file a complaint to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint.
55 Plus Home Repair Program
The County of Rock is offering Home Improvement Grants for senior home owners, age 55 or older. This grant is designed to help make home repairs and accessibility modifications to help meet the challenges of aging in place safely and affordably.
If you or someone you know may qualify for this home repair assistance program, contact Rock County at 608-757-5474.
Rock County Nutrition Program News
Please stop by and welcome the new dining center manager for weekday noon meals at The Gathering Place.
Volunteers are needed to assist with packaging meals for home delivery and also with serving meals at the dining site. Please consider volunteering in this way; you will find it gratifying!
Substitute drivers are also needed to deliver meals to the homebound. If this sounds like something you could do, please call 608-757-5474.
Dining Center News Update
The Rock County Council on aging would like to update you on the dining center meals. To attend the noon meals you must be 60 years of age or older, but a spouse of any age may attend with you. The suggested donation is $4.00. If you are under 60 years of age you must pay $11.73 per meal. Questions? Please call 608-757-5472. You must get your meal reservation in before noon the day before the meal. Call The Gathering Place, Milton at 608-868-3500 to make meal reservations.
Senior Stockbox is a program through ECHO that provides food on the last Thursday of each month to seniors who need a little help. Pick-up day at St. Mary Catholic Church in Milton is the fourth Thursday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Senior Stockbox Program is run by Milwaukee's Hunger Task Force and funded by the federal government.
KWIK TRIP ASSISTANCE-did you know that you can go to any Kwik Trip convenience store and gas station and have a Kwik Trip employee put gas in your car? All you do is call the number on the gas pump and ask an employee for assistance. This is good at any Kwik Trip store.
GoGo Grandparent Service Ride Program-The "Uber" type ride program is now in Rock County. Service is available in the Milton area. Rides cost: Uber Fares: 3.55 base fare plus $1.50 per mile, plus $0.20 per minute with a minimum fare of $6.55 and the concierge fee is $0.19 per minute.
For more information, go to: https://gogograndparent.com/
